Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Hard Hat Cafe II

    3.4 (60 reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 11:00 pm

    Hard Hat Cafe II Photos

    HARD HAT CAFE II ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Loud
    Happy hour specials
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    More like Hard Hat Cafe II

    Recommended Reviews - Hard Hat Cafe II

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Buffalo Wings
    Ryan G.

    Fantastic buffalo wings. Slightly pricier at $12 for six but they're crispy and worth it. Friendly staff and very clean. I would definitely stop back

    Chicken saltimbocca with sautéed spinach
    Al L.

    First, I admit to questioning my decision to eat here upon driving up. It's a bar and appears to be like any local corner pub. Do not expect ambience but expect great food. After a strong recommendation for their food, my wife and I decided to take a chance while in the area. I am so glad we did! Best known for their wings, we elected to try their dinner specials, Pepper steak and Chicken saltimbocca. . Wow, Chef Justin killed it with the chicken saltimbocca. Chicken was moist, fresh mozzarella was melted perfectly without drying and the prosciutto gave the perfect level of saltiness. The sautéed spinach was perfectly seasoned. My wife's pepper steak over rice was cooked perfectly, which is difficult with the thin cuts utilized. Her rice was moist, which is rare for many kitchens that precook their rice for service. Thank you Chef Justin for surprising us! I'll be back to try the wings next time!

    a person holding a sandwich

    This place is off the hook. Really. If your looking for a place to relax and have good food. This is it. Thank you Lia for your service. It was on point. .

    Doob style! 12x $15
    Paul R.

    Doob style! The wings were pretty darn good only 2x small issues while I was there however it would not be fair to not their review because of it. 1. the ac must have been broken it was cooler outside than inside the restaurant 2. Because there was no a/c the doors were open and there were gnats flying around me in the bar. Price - $$ $15 for 12 wings Value - the wings were medium to large not the skinny meatless kind Ambiance- dive bar atmosphere Service- the bartender was very extrovert and socialized with everyone

    The couch potato burger.  This burger gets 10 stars.   It was amazing. Cooked perfectly
    Loretta M.

    Went on a Saturday night at 6pm. Not too crowded when we first arrived. Ordered two different types wings and food. Asked for wings first. All came out together. For two orders of wings only got one blue cheese. My burger was cooked perfectly to my specs.. Well done but not burnt. It was so delicious and juicy. Loved the potato chips on the burger. This is my new favorite. Live music started about 8. It was way way toooooo loud for the size of the room. Couldn't no longer have a conversation. The staff was very nice. Our waitress went out of her way to make sure our drinks were good as well as our food. Must admit that the north haven location is my favorite of the two. Like the vibe there better.

    My friend got this Mac n cheese stuffed grilled cheese, I took a bite, would order for myself (and have to save half!!)

    See all

    12 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    The absolute best wings I have ever had. Just regular buffalo wings, they were better than J Tims (which was my favorite before)

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of B W.
    28
    76
    37

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of M H.
    0
    38
    15

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joe F.
    5
    6
    16

    11 years ago

    Great service, bar tender was very nice an respectful, she was talkative and fun. Very clean and well managed!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    One star is to much for this dump!!! Worst service. Worst atmosphere. Orders came out wrong brunt. Hard earned money wasted.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dan H.
    2
    25
    17

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - Hard Hat Cafe II

    You might also consider

    Six One Nine Supper Club - Burger on brioche with fries

    Six One Nine Supper Club

    4.5(98 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    Looking for a superior dining experience?? Then go to 619.. you will not be disappointed.. the…read moreFOOD.. flavorful and the perfect combination of spices. SERVICE... 5 stars.. I have dined on more then 10 occasions the wait staff has always been very attentive. AMBIANCE.. soft lighting making is comfortable with light music playing to TV's for those sports enthusiasts.. I have to say 619 has become my FAVORITE RESTARAUNT to dine at. The chef provides a variety of dishes all as fabulous as the next. You are greeted and quickly seated and if there is a line (because they are so popular) they kindly inform you that they will work to seat you quickly! Everything that the owners, bartenders, and waitstaff do at this restaurant is top notch !! and if I may suggest... try the shrimp and scallops. it's amazing!!

    Absolutely love this place. The service is always top notch,…read moreas are the food and drinks. It's a cozy restaurant with a lot of warmth. Our server was knowledgeable of gluten free options on the menu, which was great. They start every table with potato chips and a yummy aioli, truly addicting! For food, the filet mignon was perfection. A previous time I came, they had shrimp and scallops in a saffron cream with wild rice and market vegetables and it was DIVINE! The menu does change so that dish wasn't listed this recent time that we went. It would be amazing if they brought it back as a permanent dish!!! For drinks, I loved by Buzzin in Bikini Bottom cocktail! It is my favorite! My fiancé liked the Negroni and Julep as well, but loved my drink above those. I'd definitely recommend going to Six One Nine for a date night or dinner outing!

    Photos
    Six One Nine Supper Club - Bar Area

    Bar Area

    Six One Nine Supper Club - Grilled octopus- special

    Grilled octopus- special

    Six One Nine Supper Club - Spicy Margarita with Tahin rim

    See all

    Spicy Margarita with Tahin rim

    Back 9 Social - Delicious house made Philly steak rolls!

    Back 9 Social

    4.5(42 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    "Imitator, intimidator, stimulator Simulator, eliminator"…read more(Eminem) If ten state of the art golf simulators are your stimulators, you'll love a visit to Back 9 Social. And your visit will not be handicapped by a lack of gastropub like food and drink. Their golf simulators are very impressive and combine radar and camera technology to faithfully recreate some of the best courses in the world, including St Andrews, Pebble Beach, and 120+ others. A professional organization I belong to held a gathering there last night and had a great time. We ordered and paid for our drinks through their big bar through a QR code, but you can still pay the old-fashioned way with cash if you prefer. We had plenty of their pizzas which were quite yummy. Our golfers had a blast and I should point out that although some of the other customers I saw actually brought their own set of clubs, Back 9 can hook you up with their clubs for men, women, lefties, righties, and kids. And of course, plenty of tees and balls to whack into their high-definition screens. The facility is gorgeous, the golf simulators were amazing, the staff was helpful and friendly, and it was a very enjoyable experience.

    This place is a lot of fun, and we genuinely enjoy coming here, but our experience with management…read moreon multiple occasions has really put a damper on the whole establishment. We completely understand that the facility has every right to monitor alcohol consumption and prevent inappropriate behavior. Nobody wants people getting sloppy or disruptive, and we respect that. However, there's a much more professional and respectful way to handle it than what is done. We are unsure of her name, but the female manager present made us uncomfortable as she was constantly staring at our group throughout the evening instead of simply communicating expectations directly. The alcohol restrictions are also entirely ridiculous- I specifically was told by the bartender that I was being watched for alcohol consumption after having 2 Coronas in a time span of 1 hour and 45 minutes. The restriction on alcohol itself is not the main issue -- it's the way it is handled. We have felt watched and punished despite the fact that nobody in our group was loud, inappropriate, or intoxicated on multiple occasions. I also want to note that the bartenders have been spectacular and are always very nice. This is specially about the manager and the way she acts towards paying customers. When you're spending over $200 on the simulator alone, a little courtesy and respectful communication would go a long way. We really do like this place, but experiences like this make us hesitant to come back.

    Photos
    Back 9 Social
    Back 9 Social - The "Royale"

    The "Royale"

    Back 9 Social

    See all

    The Bees Knees Bistro - Cobb Salad

    The Bees Knees Bistro

    4.4(107 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    Upon arrival, the Bees Knees Bistro is cozy inside. Our server was attentive and all the staff…read moreseemed pleasant and helpful. Onto the drinks and food which were so delicious and truly enjoyable. I got the Beachy Bee Iced Latte special, which is a honey vanilla latte with a coconut cold foam and toasted coconut on top (simply divine)! My fiancé got the cappuccino which was made just to his liking, and he's a coffee connoisseur. For food, I had the Bumble, which I highly recommend, with scrambled eggs, subbed with the gluten free sourdough bread (+$2 up-charge) and cheddar instead of American cheese. It's served all day and had so much flavor with that garlic butter, and the seasoned steak. Yum! If you are gluten free like me, you will appreciate that they have the gluten free sourdough bread or a gluten free wrap to substitute with. My partner had the Basic Bee with bacon and thought it was flavorful with light and fluffy scrambled eggs that complimented the bacon well. Overall, I would really recommend this place if you're looking for a breakfast or lunch in Wallingford!

    I normally try to give places the benefit of the doubt, but our experience at The Bees Knees Bistro…read morein Wallingford was honestly very disappointing and upsetting. My family and I arrived while it was raining outside with our young daughters in strollers, expecting to sit down for a meal and get out of the weather. Instead, we were told we could not come in with the strollers and essentially felt unwelcome the moment we walked through the door. As parents of babies who are still too young to sit safely in high chairs on their own, the strollers are not optional for us , they are necessary. We were not being disruptive, rude, or inconsiderate. We were simply trying to have a meal as a family. Rather than attempting to accommodate us or show any understanding, we were left feeling like having children made us an inconvenience. What made the situation even worse was the fact that it was pouring outside. Any level of kindness or flexibility would have gone a long way. Instead, we felt embarrassed, frustrated, and honestly shocked by the lack of compassion and customer service. Families with young children already face enough challenges going out in public, and experiences like this make it even harder. We ended up leaving and taking our business somewhere else that was far more welcoming and understanding toward families. It is disappointing because we were genuinely looking forward to trying this restaurant, but first impressions matter. A restaurant does not need to be "kid-centered" to still treat parents and babies with basic respect and decency. I completely understand that restaurants may have space limitations or policies, but there is a respectful and compassionate way to handle situations like this. Instead, the experience came across as cold and dismissive. There are many restaurants in the area that are happy to accommodate families, and moving forward those are the businesses I will continue to support. Unfortunately, after this experience, I will not be returning and would not recommend this restaurant to families with infants or children who still require strollers or extra accommodations. I wont be going back and giving them .you business, nor will I be recommending this place to anyone. Totally rude and discrimination towards those with babies. I did not feel cherished like their website says every guest is. Its sad because this will and im sure does effect their business. I will never give them my business after yesterday. No attempts at accommodating us or evening offering to let us sit outside, lazy staff, but yet there were 3 teenage girls taking names for the wait list. What a joke.

    Photos
    The Bees Knees Bistro - Counter

    Counter

    The Bees Knees Bistro - Banana Smash Toast

    Banana Smash Toast

    The Bees Knees Bistro

    See all

    The Library Wine Bar & Bistro - Nachos

    The Library Wine Bar & Bistro

    3.6(359 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    My expectations were high for this place. The ambiance, decor and location are all on point. Cozy,…read morechic, New England vibes. My friend and I started with a glass of wine, and the service in the beginning was good. However things quickly went downhill. This library proves you can't judge a book by its cover. We ordered the calamari appetizer. When it arrived, I opened my silverware from the napkin and discovered that my fork was filthy-- a giant glob of white, crusty food, the size of a dime, was still stuck between the prongs. I waited for my waitress to check in (she didn't deliver the food) but she never came. We tried to get the attention of another waitress and were ignored. After 10 minutes, with my calamari growing cold, I eventually walked to the bar to get a replacement. The bartended exclaimed, "Gross!" -- my sentiments exactly-- when I showed him the fork. By the time I actually sat down to eat, the calamari was cold. It was also super tough and chewy. There were hardly any peppers. We didn't eat much of it. I love French food, and I ordered the duck for dinner. I ordered it medium. When it arrived, it was cooked well done- perhaps in an oven rather than seared. I say this because the skin was not crispy and the fat had not rendered, so the skin/fat remained thick, chewy and inedible. Usually the crispy skin is the best part of duck, so I was disappointed. I had to cut off the skin and thick layer of fat to make it edible. It tasted quite gamey and there was no pink center. It came sliced into thirds, so they knew it was overcooked when they served it to me. I only ate a small portion. The rest of my dish (which came out looking stunning by the way) was also a big disappointment. Although it looked beautiful at first glance, I discovered the delicata squash still had the rough, inedible skin attached. The cherry sauce was heavy-handed and drowned my brussel sprouts, sweet potato purée and carrots to the point that all I could taste was the sauce (a thick, sugary glaze). I did my best to eat around it, because my waitress didn't check on us until much later. In fact we were basically done by the time I saw her again. I had given up at that point and left most of my food behind. There was also an issue with where we were seated. We had a small table in front of a window, but completely blocking a much larger table in a narrow corner. There was a family there when we arrived, and each time they got up to use the bathroom, I had someone's body pressed against my chair to squeeze by. A woman's behind actually grazed the back of my head at one point. When the family left, I could feel them brushing my coat off the back of my chair, resulting in them stepping on it. I can't blame them- it was a tight spot and a very awkward place for a table. I was annoyed that the waitstaff (I'm assuming) took the other chairs at my table, making a 4 seat table into a 2 seater, so I had no choice in where to sit. I didn't understand why they did this, because there was a lovely fireplace nearby and I had my back to it all night. Clearly, they weren't thinking about the dining experience from the customer's point of view. Maybe I could have switched tables but finding my waitress was like trying to find Waldo all evening, so it wasn't worth the hassle. Safe to say I won't be back. If you decide to try it out, be sure to get there early as parking is a pain to find at peak dinner hours.

    Charming restaurant in a restored 19th century library. The staff was warm and welcoming and we…read morewere able to sit at the bar. Great tap selection and their wine list is pretty extensive to cover all palates. While the appetizers list looked good, we were not starving so we went right for the mains. I went with the duck and was so satisfied! Most say breast and you don't get the whole thing. Here you do! All the sides were flavorful and highlighted the duck. Some finishing salt would have been welcomed. My wife had the scallops and was so happy with the root veggies as she does not do glutton or flour and most places put it over something she can't eat. Can't wait to come back and try the rest of the menu

    Photos
    The Library Wine Bar & Bistro - Wine Bar

    Wine Bar

    The Library Wine Bar & Bistro - Buffalo chicken flatbread (To Kill a Mockingbird)

    Buffalo chicken flatbread (To Kill a Mockingbird)

    The Library Wine Bar & Bistro

    See all

    Hard Hat Cafe II - bars - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...